SInce it hath pleased the Divine Providence in so wonderful a manner, and by ways and means no less miraculous, then those by which he did, heretofore, preserve and restore his own chosen people, to restore Vs, and Our good Subjects to each other, and to shew Vs a very hopeful Prospect, if not to put Vs already into possession of that Peace, Happiness, and Security with which this Our Kingdom hath been heretofore blessed; It will become Vs all, in Our several Stations, to acknowledge this transcendent goodness of Almighty God, in so seasonable a conjuncture, with such a Circumspecti­on, Integrity, and Reformation in Our Lives, that We may not drive away that Mercy which so near approacheth Vs, by making Our selves (wholly) unworthy of it. And in Order hereunto, We think it high time to shew Our dislike of those (against whom We have been ever enough offended, though We could not, in this manner declare it) who, under pre­tence of Affection to Vs and Our Service, assume to themselves the liberty of Reviling, Threatning and Re­proaching others; and as much as in them lies, endeavor to stifle and divert their good Inclinations to Our Service, and so to prevent that Reconciliation and Vnion of Hearts and Affections, which can only, with Gods Blessing, make Vs rejoyce in each other, and keep Our Enemies from rejoycing.

There are likewise another sort of Men, of whom we have heard much, and are sufficiently ashamed, who spend their time in Taverns, Tipling-Houses, and Debauches, giving no other Evidence of their Affection to Vs, but in drinking Our Health, and Inveighing, against all others, who are not of their own dissolute temper; and who, in truth, have more discredited Our Cause, by the Licence of their Manners and Lives, then they could ever advance it by their Affection or Courage. We hope that this extraordinary way of delivering Vs all, from all We feared, and almost bringing Vs to all We can reasonably hope, hath and will work upon the Hearts, even of these Men to that degree, that they will cordially renounce all that Licenciousness, Prophaneness, and Impiety, with which they have been corrupted and endeavored to corrupt others, and that they will, hereafter, become examples of Sobriety and Virtue, and make it appear, that what is past, was rather the Vice of the Time, then of the Persons, and so the sitter to be forgotten together.

And, because the fear of Punishment, or apprehension of Our Displeasure, may have influence upon many, who will not be restrained by the Conscience of their Duty, We do declare, That We will not exercise just Seve­rity against any Malefactors, sooner, then against Men of dissolute, debauch'd, and prophane Lives, with what parts soever they may be otherwise qualified and endowed; and, We hope, that all Persons of Honor, or in Place and Authority, will, so far assist Vs, in discountenancing such Men, that their Discretion and Shame will per­swade them to reform what their Conscience would not, and that the displeasure of good Men towards them, may supply what the Laws have not; and, it may be, cannot well provide against, there being by the Licence and Corruption of the Times, and the depraved Nature of Men, many Enormities, Scandals, and Impieties, in Practise and Manners, which Laws cannot well describe, and consequently not enough provide against, which may by the example and severity of Vertuous Men, be easily discountenanced, and by degrees suppressed.

However, for the more effectual reforming these Men, who are a discredit to the Nation, and unto any Cause they pretend to favor, and to wish well to; We require all Majors, Sheriffs, and Iustices of Peace, to be very vigilant and strict in the discovery and prosecution of all Dissolute and Prophane Persons, and such as Blaspheme the Name of God, by prophane Swearing and Cursing, or revile or disturbe Ministers, and despise the Publick Worship of God; that being first bound to the Good behavior, they may be further proceeded against, and exposed to shame, in such a manner, as the Laws of the Land, and the just and necessary Rules of Govern­ment shall direct or permit.

Given at Our Court at Whitehal, the Thirtieth day of May, in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign.